A groundbreaking was held last week for the second office building to be constructed in Hughes Landing, a 66-acre mixed-use development on the east end of Lake Woodlands.

Two Hughes Landing got a jump-start - thanks to the success of One Hughes Landing, its neighboring twin building, which is still under construction, said Alex Sutton, co-president of The Woodlands Development Co.

"Leasing has been so strong at One Hughes Landing, that we thought it's time to do another building," he said. "The interest is strong - given the strong economy here and the job growth and the need for office space."

Before the walls were even raised at One Hughes Landing, the first tenant signed a lease. In December, officials of the development company, said Layne Christensen Co. would occupy the top two floors of the eight-story building.

The building was topped off in May and is scheduled for occupancy in September.

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At a glance

About Two Hughes Landing

1 197,000-square-feet

1 8 stories

1 Second of up to 11 office buildings planned for Hughes Landing

1 Completion scheduled for spring 2014.

n designed to be LEED silver

hours used.

The 197,000-square-foot, eight-story Two Hughes Landing will be the second of up to 11 office buildings planned for Hughes Landing.

Sutton said office buildings will be completed as the market dictates - with speculative and built-to-suit projects under consideration.

Construction will be in full swing this month at Two Hughes Landing, with completion scheduled for spring of 2014.

"We're taking advantage of the fact that we have a contractor still working next door," Sutton said.

While one project wraps up, the second can begin - with a nearly seamless transition.

Both buildings are designed to be LEED silver, part of a certification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council, a Washington D.C.-based, nonprofit coalition of building industry leaders.

The goal is to promote design and construction practices that increase profitability while reducing the negative environmental impacts of buildings and improving occupant health and well-being.

Sutton said sustainable practices have become industry standards - and that tenants expect energy-efficient, eco-friendly spaces.

Gensler architectural firm designed the building.

Principal Dean Strombom said the firm focuses on sustainable building.

"The building itself is a straight-forward speculative, eight-story office building," he said. "The interesting thing is it has a curved façade facing Lake Woodlands, which gives it sweeping views from north to south."

Strombom said the building will be at the heart of the Hughes Landing development, situated on the east shore of 200-acre Lake Woodlands. He said tenants will have easy access to restaurants and shops.

"It is within walking distance of many restaurants, a grocer, residential areas and entertainment," he said. "We're just excited to be part of something bigger than any of its given parts."

Sutton said the area is planned to be a dynamic destination, with upscale restaurants and entertainment venues, a specialty grocer, a hotel and a fitness center, as well as upscale, multi-family residential housing.

"The north end is all offices space and along the south end, you will find luxury apartments," he said.

The first floor of the apartments will also double as retail space, Sutton said. He said one restaurant has signed up to join the neighborhood, and the development company is in negotiations with three more.

"We expect to have four restaurants underway this summer," he said. "A lot is happening."

By the end of the year, Sutton said restaurants, retail space and apartments will all be under construction. He expects all the businesses to be open by the end of 2014 or early 2015.

"It's going to be a hopping place," he said. "It's going to be a lot of fun."

Sutton said Hughes Landing will serve as a continuation of the efforts in Town Center, another urban spot in addition to the Mall, Waterway and Market Street.

He said the area was prime for development - bordered by Grogan's Mill Road, Lake Woodlands Drive and Lake Front Circle.

He said providing space for more businesses also will draw employees to settle in the area.